Property Advice

Let's be honest, we all judge a house by its cover.

Is north-facing really worthy of the reputation bestowed on it by real estate agents? From west to south, here's everything you need to know about house orientation.

Cladding sets the tone for your house as well as protecting it from the elements. We’ve rounded up the top options to consider before you dive in When planning a home renovation or new-build, many of us will spend hours umming and aahing over different shades of white paint or selecting the perfect kitchen benchtop […]

It’s time to reap the benefits of your hard work Now that you’ve spent weeks, possibly months, transforming an underwhelming dwelling into an attractive home, how can you draw people inside to view the house? Can you reap the benefits of your hard work? Now it’s all about selling your house as quickly as possible […]

The finishing touches really do matter so you should never underestimate the appeal of a stylish coloured tap or new splashback. Kiwis love to entertain outside in summer so having good indoor-outdoor flow is a must. You’ve done most of the hard work. The doors have been sanded and fresh paint coats the interior. New […]

From street appeal to a budget-friendly bathroom and kitchen renovation, we’ve listed the best things you should do in your house flip. You’ve made the leap and bought a house to flip. Before this, you would have assessed what work the house needs according to your budget and time frame. Studying house sales in your […]

Save time and money with these useful hacks for our most dreaded cleaning tasks Moving house is always a hassle. While a landlord can’t withhold your bond on the grounds that your house has not been cleaned, it is important that you leave the property reasonably clean and tidy. If you’ve got a few problem spots you’d like […]

Finding your perfect new build home can be tough.  Find out why Paerata Rise might tick all the boxes for your new home purchase.

The Covid-19 lockdown has impacted the real estate market but that doesn’t mean there’s no activity at all. Stay informed with these essential property tips As we all retreat into our homes for the four-week coronavirus lockdown, the importance of our own private sanctuary is highlighted as never before. The real estate market like all […]

Whether you’re selling the family home or renovating for resale, our expert has got you covered. Here are 11 unexpected things you can do to add value to your home 1. Carpet your garage: This is a great way to lift the feel of your home, especially if you have an older house with a separate […]

When it comes to renovating not every upgrade will add value to your home. Before you start spending money to make money, here are some important points to consider We all have a wish list of how we want our homes to be and thinking of possibilities is a big part of the excitement of […]

Finding potential in a property can require some imagination. Here’s how to evaluate a house so you can spot a true diamond in the rough Searching for a home can be incredibly confusing as it’s usually a case of juggling priorities and deciding what you’re prepared to compromise on. It is often easy to overlook […]

A good marketing campaign can make or break a property sale; here are a few simple but effective things that will help you generate buyer interest It’s an old retail cliché that having a great product to sell won’t benefit your business if you don’t let anyone know about it. The same could be said […]

Selling a property is stressful especially if you’ve haven’t had much interest. Here are some things to consider if you want to put up that “Sold” sign You watched with excitement when the real estate company put the “For Sale” sign up outside your home, and looked at the online photographs and video. You’ve kept […]

As the New Zealand property market has changed people are looking at alternative ways to buy and sell properties. Offering flexibility and more consideration, here’s what you need to know about the tender process A few years ago nearly all the properties listed in prime New Zealand markets were sold by the auction process. As […]

Buying in a new subdivision is an attractive prospect for some purchasers as many developments pop up around the country. Here’s what you need to know Many New Zealanders live in cities that are facing a squeeze on housing stock and as a result there are a lot more subdivisions being planned as developers and […]

Retirement villages are a booming real estate industry, here are the legal points, costs and key things to check if you’re considering making the move Retirement villages are springing up in new developments all around the country and there’s a reason why. New Zealand’s population is steadily getting older as the proportion of over 65s […]

Buying a house can be an emotionally charged process. Follow this helpful checklist to filter your choices and stay level headed Buying a house is a serious business but it’s also a decision that is often ruled as much by our hearts as our minds. We may have a hit list of priorities but it’s […]

Home staging can maximise the price and minimise the time your home is on the market. Here’s everything you need to know about why home staging has become such a popular real estate strategy Home staging Most home buyers will spend hours cruising property listings on the internet before they even set foot in an […]

Don’t lose out on your dream home because you haven’t done your homework. Here’s what you need to understand if you want to bid at an auction It is very important that you are mentally prepared before you attend an auction. If you have not been involved in an auction before it is worth attending […]

Auctions are stressful situations especially when you have your heart set on a property. Make sure you’re as prepared as possible come auction day by taking these five steps For several years now auctions have been a very popular way to sell houses, and in many urban areas such as Auckland it has been the […]

The way you present your property in photos and at your open home has a huge impact on buyer interest. Get your home resale ready with these practical tips Putting your home on the market can be a daunting process. Your real estate photos and open home will play the key role in enticing buyer […]

There are some important steps you should take before putting your home in the market. Here’s how to get a good idea of how to much to list your home for When you are selling a property it is vital that you arm yourself with information on your local market, know what prices are being […]

When you’re trying to sell, your real estate agent will be like the face of your property. Here are some practical tips to help you find the right one Choosing the right agent to represent your house is a very important decision. Most agents have areas that they operate in — they know the local […]

If your dream is to escape the city to your very own lifestyle block then these practical tips are for you. Check out our advice and make sure your move is a happy one Chase the lifestyle block dream with these 4 practical tips Swapping city life for a rural retreat is a common Kiwi […]

When it comes to buying off-the-plan apartments, investing in an idea can be a difficult exercise. Here are a few things to be mindful of before you jump in 6 essential tips for buying off-the-plan apartments The recent boom in real estate prices has seen a massive increase in buyer confidence in purchasing apartments off […]

As well as designing and building homes from scratch, Signature Homes offers some inspiring pre-designed home plans. Find out if one of their plans might be right for you Planning a new build? We answer 7 essential questions about house plans Building a new home is an exciting journey – the key is to complete […]

The journey to home ownership should be an enjoyable one, which is why Shelley Ferguson has made it her mission to find out how to make the process as stress free as possible. Here are five practical reasons why building new is the way to go 5 practical reasons why you should build new Building a […]

With a budget of just $30,000, DIY newbies Kristina and Ashton transformed a run down cottage with dramatic results. Here, she shares her top tips for renovating for resale Kristina Rapley’s 6 top tips for renovating for resale Your Home and Garden editor Kristina Rapley and her partner Ashton Lines-Sherwood were renovation rookies when they took on […]

Renovating for resale is a tricky balancing act. Here are Barfoot & Thomson’s 10 top tips to help you get the biggest bang for your buck Top 10 tips for renovating for resale Everyone has an opinion on how to achieve the best result in terms of adding value to a home; after all, we […]

We asked a Yellow Movologist the best way to make your house move go as smoothly as possible. These are his six expert tips How to have a fuss free move: advice from the experts Moving house is always stressful. No matter how zen you want to be about the process, there are always hidden costs, […]

Opening your doors to holidaymakers is an easy way to make some extra money and meet interesting new people. Here’s our how-to guide Need some extra cash? Here’s how to rent your home to holidayers Could your home be a holiday rental? Who hasn’t heard of someone letting out their spare room for a week […]

Managing costs during a project can be tricky, especially when you get the professionals in. Here are Geoff Dawson’s top tips for saving money Do Your Research If you’re looking to renovate without the huge price tag, make sure the first thing you do is your research. Instead of just going ahead with the first […]

Blowing the reno budget is never fun. Follow this handy savings guide and find out what you can scrimp on and what you should splurge on How to save money on a renovation Coming in under budget on a renovation is everyone’s dream. The reality, though, is often very different, even when you’ve done what […]

Clever, concise and full of character, these homes reveal everything that’s good about being small New Zealand’s Best small homes A minuscule marvel in Queenstown This stylish, sleek, 120-square-metre marvel near Queenstown is by Anna-Marie Chin and won the 2016 Home of the Year Best Small Home title. ‘Pyramid scheme’ The winner of the 2017 Best Small Home […]

There may not be the frenzy to buy or sell in winter as there is in spring or summer, but homes sell all-year-round. Here are some tips on how to make your home worthy to buy during the cold snap 1. Make sure your home has plenty of natural light If natural light isn’t flooding […]

Renting out your room or apartment can be a great way to earn a little (or a lot) extra. But before you jump in, make sure you know what you’re getting into Everything you need to consider before listing your property on a holiday rental site The ever growing popularity of short-term holiday rental sites […]

As the population grows we’re seeing a greater trend towards creating ‘Urban Communities’ with apartments and townhouses – here’s what you should consider As New Zealand cities grow denser, most New Zealanders will – either by choice or compulsion – need to live in apartments and townhouses rather than in single dwellings on big sections. […]